I Need the Emperor’s Child - Chapter 15

Leaving the audience chamber, Itanistad went straight to Marquis Rodain’s estate to explain the situation to Elina.

“……And so, it seems I must go to Gelayen. I’ve asked His Majesty for one year.”

Elina’s pupils shook violently at the news that Itanistad would be away from Vicentium for an entire year.

“A year?! Wh-when are you leaving?”

“As soon as I hand over the tasks I can to my secretaries and butler. Likely within a few days. That’s why I came to say goodbye first.”

“…….”

After a moment of pale silence, Elina spoke with a look of firm resolve.

“I’m going with you.”

“What? Where? Surely you don’t mean Gelayen?”

Itanistad asked back in surprise, but Elina’s answer was unwavering.

“Yes. I can’t be apart from Itan for a whole year. I’ll go and help. I’m sure I’ll be useful.”

“B-but, for a noble lady raised in luxury, the conditions there are far too harsh….”

“If the Duke isn’t here, my heart will feel harsh even if I live in Vicentium!”

Though the lovers usually called each other by name, her sudden use of his formal title “Duke” was a clear sign of her displeasure.

“Ah, but still….”

In the conservative aristocratic society, unlike among commoners, there would undoubtedly be scandalous gossip about a Marquis’s daughter following an unmarried lover to live together.

‘But Elina wouldn’t be stubborn about this without knowing that.’

Realizing this, Itanistad made his decision.

“Understood. Of course, I didn’t want to be apart from you either, but I didn’t dare suggest it for fear of tarnishing your name. I will do my best to look after you, but since the situation there is so dire, you must be prepared for some hardship.”

At his acceptance, she flashed a bright smile.

“Itan, you should look after Gelayen, not me. I’m going to work alongside you.”

Her words were reliable, yet her face was so incredibly cute as she said them. Itanistad couldn’t help but burst into laughter and pull her into a tight embrace.

After about a week of preparations, the two departed for Gelayen, accompanied by the supplies and personnel provided by the Emperor. Itanistad wanted to at least send a letter to Roabellin informing her of his move, but he feared a delivery mishap. Worried that the letter might be intercepted and reveal Roabellin’s location to the Emperor, he gave up on the idea.

‘Once I’m there, I’ll try to contact her if the situation allows.’

Gelayen, located in the western part of the continent, was about a week’s journey from Vicentium at full gallop. It was relatively close to Zakt in the southwest, where Roabellin currently lived—only about two days away.

‘At that distance, if I can spare about five days for a round trip, I’ll be able to visit Roa. It’s a relief to be closer to her.’

Itanistad decided to think positively. However, that was only because he didn’t yet realize just how buried in work he would be in Gelayen.

***

Upon arriving, Itanistad appointed Delus, the acting Border Baron, as his adjutant and got to work immediately. Quickly assessing the situation, he first released the imperial subsidies and funds from his own merchant guild to provide basic livelihood support for the poorest residents.

‘I must stabilize the public sentiment first. As my father used to say, at the very least, no one in our duchy should go hungry.’

He also bolstered the military with soldiers sent from the capital and systematized their training. Using the military science he learned as the Young Duke and advice from his adjutants, he reorganized the border defense system. Thanks to this, Gelayen’s borders stabilized quickly, and the invaders who used to cross the border as if it were just a line in the sand mostly quieted down.

While Itanistad put out the most urgent fires, Elina examined Gelayen’s livelihoods and institutions.

“The tax rates are still being applied based on settings from a long time ago. With the poor harvests over the last few years and frequent raids, the people feel the taxes are excessive for their current circumstances.”

“I see. Then let’s reform the taxation system.”

Since Itanistad had received full authority from the Emperor beforehand, he and Elina were able to overhaul the systems without hesitation.

Everything followed in rapid succession. The two used their private funds to rebuild collapsed houses, markets, academies, and other major facilities. Furthermore, they arranged for village representatives to be educated at the reconstructed academy. These representatives were taught about hygiene, disease, farming methods, and basic economics, tasked with spreading this knowledge to their own villages. Since most commoners had received no education at all, even this level of instruction led to a remarkable improvement in the residents’ common sense and awareness.

Soon, the streets became noticeably cleaner, and farming and ranching began to operate much more efficiently.

“I knew education was necessary, but I didn’t expect the effects to show so quickly. Honestly, I hadn’t thought of educating the entire population…. This is all thanks to you, Elina.”

At Itanistad’s praise, Elina lifted her chin with a playfully haughty expression.

“I told you I’d be useful, didn’t I? Now, I’d like to move on to advanced education for further development.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“This is a border region where trade is vital. I want to teach trade and commerce to raise many merchant traders. That way, we can develop the local economy and even hire some of them into the Hertenes Merchant Guild.”

“That is a brilliant idea!”

Itanistad immediately selected staff from his guild who could systematically teach commerce.

Thanks to this curriculum, local merchants who had been doing business by rule of thumb were able to formalize their knowledge. As Gelayen stabilized, the trade industry grew rapidly, and money began to circulate in the once-impoverished region.

***

Gelayen was developing at a breakneck pace, but concerns remained.

“Um, Your Grace,” Delus, the adjutant, asked hesitantly. “What should we do about the tribespeople still remaining in Gelayen? Should we implement a hardline expulsion policy, or give them a grace period to leave…?”

Fortunately, Itanistad already had a plan in mind.

“Have those who committed crimes not already been punished? For the others, I intend to give them a grace period and accept those who wish to stay as residents.”

Delus, who had assumed the tribes would be expelled, blinked in surprise.

“Pardon…?”

“If people feel they have a place where they can make a living, they come to cherish that place and become loyal to it. Thus, the tribespeople who settle here will eventually assimilate as imperial citizens over time. Besides, the population here had dwindled significantly. If we bring them in as Gelayen residents and Prahenfelt citizens, they will become a sturdy line of defense for the border.”

Only then did Delus understand Itanistad’s intent.

“Ah… I see. Since the sense of imperial identity was weak here, there were concerns they might turn to another country at any moment.”

“Exactly. If the people here are firmly Prahenfelt citizens, those tribes won’t be able to invade and cause trouble so easily.”

With everything newly organized, time flew by. Itanistad had originally planned for a year, but Gelayen was completely transformed in less than three months. As the economy surged, the residents’ sense of belonging naturally strengthened, and most of the tribes settled there chose to live as Prahenfelt citizens.

During this time, a civil war broke out in Byron, one of the three neighboring kingdoms. As their livelihoods were devastated by the conflict, numerous Byron citizens applied to migrate to Gelayen.

Unable to cope with the ruined economy and plummeting population, the Kingdom of Byron eventually requested to be annexed by the Prahenfelt Empire. Consequently, Itanistad spent many hectic days overseeing the new “Byron Region”—formerly the Kingdom of Byron.

“For strengthening the borders to bolster Prahenfelt’s security, for transforming the crisis-stricken Gelayen into the fastest-growing region in the empire, and for annexing new territory without war—your contributions are immense. Accordingly, the Prahenfelt Empire and its Emperor bestow this ‘Imperial Medal’ upon House Hertenes in gratitude.”

The Hertenes Duchy received the highest-ranking medal. With this, Hertenes stood tall as the most recognized and honorable noble family in the empire. Thanks to Elina’s efforts, the Rodain Marquisate also received the next rank of medal and the mining rights to a gold mine.

“And….”

After personally pinning the medal to Itanistad’s lapel, Kaisertern spoke once more.

“In recognition of the Duke of Hertenes’s achievements, from this day forward, the regions of Gelayen and Byron shall be the Hertenes Duchy.”

Since this part had not been discussed beforehand, Itanistad’s eyes widened in shock.

“P-pardon?”

“Return it whenever you wish, if you don’t want it. Haha.”

Kaisertern laughed and patted his shoulder. Itanistad’s head spun with shock and joy, his heart pounding wildly. After standing dazed with his mouth slightly ajar, he managed to squeeze out a voice.

“Th-thank you….”

Thus, Hertenes became one of the most prestigious families in the empire, and the region Itanistad had revived became the Hertenes Ducal Territory.

***

Living only two days away from Gelayen, Roabellin and her family had heard vague news that the situation there was stabilizing. However, because the incredibly busy Itanistad hadn’t been able to visit Zakt, she had no idea he was the one playing such an active role.

About four months passed, and Roabellin’s delivery date was just around the corner.

Because Roabellin had a naturally slender frame, her heavily swollen belly made even moving a burden.

“Whew…. I get out of breath just walking a little. It’s so hard lately that I find myself wishing Edel would just come out soon.”

As Roabellin caught her breath while walking in the yard, Letis, who was walking with her, supported her.

“I’ve heard everyone say the baby is easiest when they’re in the belly. They say you’ll miss this time once the baby comes out.”

Roabellin had heard the same from Lisa. She gave Letis a playful glare before changing the subject.

“But why hasn’t there been any word from brother? Is he that busy?”

“I know. I thought he’d at least send word within a month.”

“I wonder if something happened…. If possible, I’d like brother to be here when Edel is born.”

“Even if he comes, he wouldn’t be allowed inside the delivery room anyway.”

Roabellin glared again at the bluntly practical Letis.

“I’m acting like I’m fine, but I’m actually terrified and scared of giving birth. Even if he can’t enter the room, I think I’d be less scared if he were nearby that day. And I want to show him Edel as soon as she’s born.”

“Then shall I go to Vicentium? I can get news of the Duke and ask him to come if possible.”

At Letis’s cool suggestion, Roabellin’s face brightened.

“Ah, it would be faster if someone went from here! I’d be so grateful if you could go!”

“It’s a good excuse for me to get some fresh air. I’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”

True to her word, Letis left the following morning. Riding hard at top speed, she reached Vicentium in less than six full days.

‘I have to hurry. If I dawdle, I might miss the Lady’s due date.’

Anxious, she didn’t even think to check her surroundings and galloped straight into the heart of the city toward the Hertenes Merchant Guild. Suddenly, knights in black uniforms appeared and blocked her path. As a startled Letis halted her horse, they surrounded her and drew closer.

“Wh-who…!!”

Then, one of them said quietly, “Do not worry. We are not here to harm you. It is an Imperial Command. Knight Letis Berfen, follow us to the Imperial Palace.”

‘An Imperial Command? The Palace? They know me?!’

She was utterly bewildered by the sudden situation. She hadn’t realized the Emperor had planted eyes all over the capital specifically looking for her using knights who knew her face.

‘No. Actually, it was predictable, and I should have been more careful.’

Letis bit her lip in frustration. When she glanced around to gauge an escape route, a knight in that direction placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

‘Dammit…. Is this related to that Radak fellow?’

Letis was taken straight to the palace. In fact, at that time, Itanistad was busy working in the new Hertenes territory of Gelayen and Byron. Therefore, she wouldn’t have been able to meet him at the guild anyway, but to Letis, it felt like being thwarted right in front of her goal. Swallowing the curses that threatened to spill out, she arrived at the audience chamber.

Letis had seen Kaisertern a few times before. When she escorted Radak, when he came to the forest near the hot spring palace to fetch Roabellin, and a few months ago when Iskal summoned her as a witness to Radak’s trial. She thought she knew his face well enough, but the Emperor’s aura today was quite different.

‘His jawline seems sharper. Did he lose weight? And why are his eyes so dark and grim…. What happened in these few months?’

She knew Roabellin had fled from Kaisertern, but Letis, not realizing the Emperor’s haggard appearance was due to that very reason, tilted her head slightly. Kaisertern, watching her, spoke. His low voice created a quiet resonance in the chamber.

“Berfen, was it?”

Startled back to her senses, Letis belatedly showed her respect.

“Y-yes. Knight Letis Berfen, I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

Kaisertern seemed indifferent to her etiquette and got straight to his business.

“Where are you staying now?”

‘Whoa, the first question is a heavy hitter.’

It could have been a casual question, but for her, it pierced the mark.

“Uh…. That is…. I’m just, you know, living here and there.”

Unskilled at lying, her voice trailed off toward the end. Kaisertern was not one to miss that. He immediately ordered the guards behind him.

“A lie. Bind her.”

Before Letis could react, her hands were tied behind her back. Ignoring her, Kaisertern ordered a servant to bring something. A moment later, the servant brought a communication device.

“If the Imperial Archmage were here, there would be many things I could do, but it’s a pity my options are limited now. Berfen. Connect this to the communication device of those you are living with. You know well that lying to the Emperor’s face is a crime punishable by death. I suggest you make a careful decision for the sake of your life.”

Terror filled Letis’s eyes at Kaisertern’s threat. Despite his calm tone, it was true that he could execute her.

“And I promise not to harm the person on the other end. I simply wish to confirm they are safe and well.”

How many people could say no to an Emperor wielding absolute power and radiating such immense pressure? After a brief moment of agony, Letis made a decision.

“……Understood.”

With her hands temporarily freed, she took the device from the servant and attempted to connect to Estina’s device. After a long moment of blinking signals, the connection was made. It seemed the person on the other end was hesitant to pick up. As everyone’s eyes widened in anticipation, Letis spoke up first, urgently.

“It’s me, Letis! Is this Aunt?!”

Letis usually called Estina “Lady Estina,” but she intentionally used a different title to hide her identity.

“Oh, Letis? I was wondering who was calling. What’s going—”

Before Estina could finish, Letis screamed.

“I’ve been caught by the Emperor! I’m being threatened. Run away, quickly!”

She said her piece and immediately cut the connection. Everyone in the audience chamber looked stunned by her sudden outburst. However, Kaisertern alone had a look of intense focus.

“Hmm…. The southwest of the continent.”

At his unexpected words, Letis’s face turned ashen as she snapped her head up. Kaisertern’s true purpose in forcing the connection was to use his mana to trace the other party’s location while the signal was active. He hadn’t expected to actually have a conversation with Roabellin or ask after her well-being from the start.

“The connection was too short to pinpoint the exact location, but I can narrow it down to a few cities.”

The chief servant, watching from the side, cautiously added, “Then, if we have her connect one more time, we should be able to get the exact coordinates.”

But Kaisertern shook his head.

“After hearing that, there’s no way they’ll accept the connection again.”

“Then, how about using a truth potion on this knight?”

‘This crazy bastard?! I’m going to kill you one day and then myself.’

At the loyal Seneschal’s suggestion, Letis cursed inwardly.

“Hmm.”

When Kaisertern didn’t answer immediately, Letis shouted right away.

“If you try to feed me something like that, I’ll bite my tongue and die right here! I am a knight for whom loyalty is everything!”

Her face and voice were resolute, but Kaisertern smiled inwardly. He liked her old-fashioned, knightly stubbornness.

‘A rare kind of knight these days.’

Maintaining a stern expression, however, he spoke to the servant.

“Enough. This much narrowing down should be enough for me to find her. Only five of my closest guards are to follow. We are opening a Gate right now.”

Letis’s eyes went wide.

‘Right now?! This late in the evening? What is this level of initiative….’

As Kaisertern stood to leave, he turned his head and gestured toward the dazed Letis.

“Identify that knight and confine her to a guest room appropriate for her rank. Keep a strict watch so she cannot leave.”

“Understood. Berfen, please follow me.”

Letis was confined to a guest room usually reserved for visitors from baronial or viscountal families. Compared to her fears of being thrown into a dungeon or tortured, being “confined” here was actually quite a lavish treatment. With nothing else to do in the room, she sank into deep thought.

‘I don’t understand a single thing…. Given that I’m in a guest room and not a cell, it seems he doesn’t intend to kill me. Could it be that His Majesty is desperately searching for Lady Roa, whom he knows as a commoner maid? Is it like a love that transcends social class? Or is he just annoyed because she ran away? Whew…. I have no idea what’s going on. I just hope they run away well and don’t get caught.’

Letis sighed and plopped down onto the bed.

***

“What is this…?”

Estina, Roabellin, and Lisa, gathered around the communication device, all wore stunned expressions.

“So, Letis has been caught by the Emperor. She was either forced to connect the device under threat, or she somehow managed to sneak a contact to warn us that our location will soon be discovered.”

As Estina regained her composure and laid out the situation clearly, the color drained from everyone’s faces.

“Aunt, then, what do we…?”

“We have to flee this place immediately. But, given your condition… will you be able to handle it?”

Estina let out a sigh mixed with worry as she looked at Roabellin’s belly, which was now as large as a mountain.

“It will be difficult. But still, we have to go. If we dawdle here and I go into labor, we really won’t be able to escape then.”

Roabellin’s face became a complex mask of resolve and anxiety. Lisa explained the situation to Pheron and Jeff, who had hurried over after hearing the voices.

“Alright, Roa. We’re leaving right away, so everyone pack your bags as fast as possible. Roa, bring the communication device Itan gave you.”

Under Estina’s leadership, the family members scattered quickly to fulfill their respective tasks.

A short while later, Roabellin returned with the communication device she had kept hidden like a treasure.

“Since the small amount of mana generated while using this can be tracked, we must leave the device behind and depart the moment the call ends. Roa, connect to Itan now.”

Roabellin input the frequency for Itanistad’s device, and before long, his voice came through.

“Roa? What’s going on? Is something wrong?!”

It was their first conversation in months, but receiving a sudden call at such a late hour made Itanistad more worried than happy.

“Yes, brother. I’ll keep it brief because it’s urgent. It’s an emergency. The Emperor seems to have narrowed down our location and is tracking us. We have to run now. Where should we go to meet you?”

“What?!”

He wanted to ask how this had happened, but hearing the urgency in Roabellin’s voice, Itanistad answered immediately.

“I’m in Gelayen. You know it, right? It’s northwest of where you are, about two days away by horse.”

“Ah, yes. Roughly.”

“I’ll inform the gatekeepers of Gelayen Castle about you and the family. When you arrive, just tell them ‘The Lady has arrived,’ and they will guide you to me. For your information, Gelayen is now a Hertenes Ducal Territory, so come without worry.”

“What, a Ducal Territory?! Okay, I understand. See you soon!”

Though she had a mountain of questions, the situation was too dire, so Roabellin cut the connection and stood up abruptly. As she did, she momentarily lost her balance due to the weight of her belly, but Estina quickly supported her.

“Can you really travel like this?”

Roabellin gripped Estina’s arm and forced a faint smile despite her aunt’s worried face.

“I have to. He said there’s a Ducal Territory waiting for us. I’ve really started wanting to see it. Let’s go quickly, Aunt.”

Seeing her niece’s determination, Estina steeled her own heart.

“Right, let’s leave immediately. I don’t know the full story, but if it’s a Ducal Territory, we can breathe a sigh of relief once we get there.”

The servants, who had been moving busily, soon finished the preparations. They each mounted horses, with their bags strapped to the back, and set off. In the dim moonlight, the sound of their horses’ hooves echoed quietly against the ground.

***

Kaisertern and his closest guard knights moved directly to the vicinity of Zakt via a Gate. Upon arrival, Kaisertern immediately scanned the surroundings. He felt as if Roabellin might be hiding just beyond the darkness.

“You all know the target’s appearance and mana signature. Even if someone is only slightly similar, capture them alive first. Be extremely careful not to cause any harm.”

“By your command.”

The Emperor’s closest guards, who possessed both exceptional swordsmanship and mana, received Kaisertern’s orders.

“Let’s move. Focus. Don’t miss a single moment.”

Kaisertern and the five guards began to run, precisely detecting mana waves as they went.

***

Having returned to Gelayen after receiving the Imperial Medal, Itanistad was working busily without a moment to catch his breath. There was a mountain of work to do to establish order in the new Ducal Territory. On this day, while working late into the night, Itanistad received Roabellin’s call and was shocked by the sudden news.

“My goodness, to think they’re leaving immediately tonight…. I hope they arrive safely.”

Fidgeting restlessly, he went straight to Elina to share the news. He had already told Elina about Roabellin and the family. She was also shocked by his story.

“You said she was five months pregnant when you last met, right? Then her due date must be right around now. To travel in that condition… heavens. I’ll find a house for the family to stay in right away. There’s no time for repairs, so I’ll at least have it cleaned. Just in case, I should have a female doctor on standby as well.”

At her decisive response, Itanistad’s face filled with emotion.

“Thank you so much, Elina. I’m sorry to make you work when you’re already so busy.”

“Don’t mention it. Don’t worry. I’ll look for a place that isn’t too conspicuous to others.”

After her spirited reply, Elina moved diligently with Itanistad’s secretary from the very next morning and found a suitable house. Two days passed as she secured the house, had it cleaned, brought in simple furniture, and scouted for a doctor.

***

Roabellin and her family were on horseback, but they couldn’t increase their speed. It would be a disaster if Roabellin, with her heavy body, lost her balance and fell. Consequently, even though they had traveled for two days on a forced march with only brief naps and almost no rest, they had not yet reached Gelayen. Everyone was exhausted, of course, but it was nothing compared to Roabellin, who was pushing herself despite being in the final stages of pregnancy.

Jeff, who had gone ahead briefly to scout the road, returned with news.

“There’s a mountain ahead that isn’t very high! If the map is correct, Gelayen Castle is just over this mountain!”

At his words, color returned to the tired faces of the family members for the first time in a long while.

“Ah, finally….”

Estina also spoke to Roabellin with a much brighter expression.

“What a relief, Roa. Just a little more strength.”

“Mm-hmm….”

Unlike Estina’s bright voice, Roabellin’s response was a tiny whisper. Surprised by the weak reaction, Estina turned to look at Roabellin, who had been silent in the back for a while.

“What is it? Why the reaction—oh my, Roa!”

Cold sweat was pouring down Roabellin’s deathly pale face. Estina quickly pulled her horse right alongside her and grabbed her shoulder.

“Roa, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Is it…?”

At Estina’s worried question, Roabellin, who was hunched over, struggled to move her lips.

“Aunt, I… ugh….”

The other family members, who had been slightly ahead, noticed the strange atmosphere and turned their horses to gather around.

“Uh, Lady, are you unwell…?”

“Heavens, My Lady! Are you having contractions?!”

A startled Lisa quickly squeezed in right next to her. Roabellin bit her lip to endure the pain.

“Ugh, ugh…. I think so. It’s been hurting on and off for a while.”

“My goodness, you should have said something immediately!”

“Even if I did, we couldn’t stop there…. We had no choice but to keep going as fast as possible.”

Lisa was appalled to hear that she had been enduring the pain alone without even telling the family, even though labor had started.

“No, but how could you endure that by yourself? How long has it been like this?!”

“I don’t know. Three or four hours…?”

Estina, who had been listening to their conversation with a worried face, spoke up.

“As Roa said, we can’t stop here. There are no midwives here, and wild animals might come. Someone might hear us and find us.”

Roabellin, whose pain had temporarily subsided, looked up with clear eyes and a resolute face.

“Yes, I’ll try to endure it somehow. I think it’s better to get into the castle before the contractions get any shorter. Since it’s come to this, let’s just push through and go quickly.”

As Roabellin finished speaking and managed a difficult smile, raindrops began to fall on her face.

“Oh, it looks like it’s going to rain.”

Indeed, the sky had turned dark before they knew it. Dark clouds were moving rapidly, signaling that a heavy downpour was about to strike. The hearts of the family members grew even more hurried as they looked up at the sky. They unloaded the bags from the largest and strongest horse and moved Roabellin and Jeff onto it together. This was because as the contractions worsened, she wouldn’t be able to hold the reins properly.

“Let’s go! Hyah!!”

The rain that started as a few drops soon turned into a heavy deluge. The downpour grew increasingly intense, leaving the family members feeling like soaked cotton. They were so exhausted that no one could say a word; they had to focus entirely on riding.

Naturally, Roabellin’s situation was deteriorating to the worst possible state. As time passed, the contractions came at shorter intervals and with greater intensity. Even then, her body was shaken relentlessly atop the fast-running horse. Roabellin bit her lip until it bled, trying her best not to let out a groan of pain. But every so often, a sound she couldn’t catch escaped through her lips.

“Ah, ugh, ugh…. It hurts, huff, so much…. Ugh….”

She couldn’t tell if it was rain or tears flowing down her face. It was a pain so intense she felt like she might faint, but she couldn’t lose consciousness here.

Jeff was frantic, trying to ride through the rain while making sure Roabellin didn’t fall. But even in that state, the pain he felt so vividly from her felt like it was partly his fault for driving the horse, which made him feel incredibly apologetic.

“My Lady, I am so sorry. We’re almost there, please just endure a little, just a little bit more!”

“……Ugh…….”

She was grateful for his concern, but Roabellin couldn’t even manage a reply. Her body trembled violently from the pain, and her only option was to endure while biting her lip.

“Once we go down this slope, it’s the castle! I’m heading for the gate first!”

Pheron, who was slightly ahead, delivered words that felt like a ray of light. At this moment, it was the phrase everyone had been desperately waiting for. Roabellin, who had been enduring the pain with her head down and eyes tightly shut, managed to lift her head. A glimmer of hope touched her tear-stained eyes.

Pheron increased his speed and went down to the castle gate first. Upon arrival, he approached the gatekeepers and spoke urgently.

“The Lady, the Lady has arrived! Call a doctor first! It’s an emergency!”

As Itanistad had instructed, the gatekeepers reported to their superiors immediately, and while they did, Roabellin and the rest of the family reached the gate.

Itanistad was able to arrive at the gate quickly, as he had been on his way there anyway, worried about the family’s delay. The rain had stopped by now, and evening was approaching.

“Duke!”

“Itan!!”

Recognizing the family, Itanistad approached them immediately. He had intended to greet them by saying, ‘You all worked hard to get here.’ But before he could, what caught his eye was his sister’s deathly pale, exhausted figure.

“Roa! What on earth happened….”

Roabellin saw him and barely managed to open her mouth.

“Brother, Edel is… coming out….”

Perhaps she felt relieved upon seeing her brother; Roabellin couldn’t even finish her sentence before she lost consciousness. Jeff and Itanistad quickly caught her as she collapsed.

“Roa!”

“My Lady!!”

In her flickering consciousness, the voices of her startled family members faded into the distance.

Itanistad instructed the doctor Elina had secured to be sent to the house, then moved the family there by carriage.

“Ugh….”

Perhaps she regained consciousness due to the jolting of the carriage, as Roabellin let out another painful groan. Itanistad quickly took his sister’s hand in both of his. A faint trembling was transmitted to him.

The carriage soon arrived at the house prepared for them, and the doctor arrived at the same time. The family finally breathed a sigh of relief only after Roabellin was carried directly into the prepared delivery room and the doctor and assistants rushed in. Only then did they realize their own hands and legs were trembling with tension.

“AAAAAAAAAH—!!”

Soon, a pain-filled scream echoed from inside the room. The faces of the family members who heard it also contorted in pain.

“Because she had to ride in silence, the mother in labor couldn’t even express her pain properly.”

Lisa muttered with a face as if she were about to cry. The house was quite cozily decorated, but there was no way such things would catch their eyes now. As Roabellin’s screams continued to ring out, Jeff eventually started to sob.

“Sniff…. Our Lady will be okay, right? The horse was shaking so much earlier…. I wonder if both the Lady and Baby Edel will be alright….”

Estina comforted Jeff.

“Roa will be fine. She’s a spirited child. And just in case, even if anything happens, it is absolutely not your fault, so don’t worry too much.”

Lisa, who was nearby, also wiped away tears.

“She’s someone who should have been a Queen at the very least, yet for her to suffer like this, it breaks my heart…. Sniff, sniff.”

At Lisa’s words, a shadow also fell over Estina’s face. However, biting her lip, she soon forced her expression to brighten and said, “Giving birth is a hardship Roa would have had to endure someday even if she had become Queen. But to push herself riding a horse for two days in that condition, and to go through labor on the road…. It really is upsetting.”

“You’re right. Perhaps because she pushed herself, the baby is coming out a bit earlier than the due date.”

Estina, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill out, turned her head and saw Itanistad. With a blackened face, he was staring blankly at the door to the delivery room where Roabellin had entered.

“Itan? Are you okay?”

At her question, Itanistad seemed to snap back to his senses and flustered.

“Ah, uh…. Aunt. This is the first time I’ve seen someone in that much pain…. Roa will really be okay, right? Should I bring more doctors?”

It was not Estina who answered the helpless Itanistad, but Elina, who had just arrived at the house and entered quietly.

“Even if ten more doctors came, they wouldn’t be much help. A doctor and assistants with plenty of experience in delivering babies have gone in, and all the items needed for the birth were prepared in advance.”

At Elina’s appearance, Itanistad seemed to regain some of his senses and quickly stood up to introduce everyone.

“Ah, Elina. You came right away. First, introductions. Aunt, this is Lady Elina Rodain, daughter of the Marquis. Elina, this is my aunt, Estina Hertenes.”

“Hello, Lady Rodain. I’ve heard a lot about you from Itan.”

“Aunt, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Elina. Let’s save the formal greetings for later; first, I’ll guide you to wash and rest.”

Elina gave Itanistad a wink as if telling him not to worry. She guided the exhausted family members to their respective rooms and soon returned to the living room. Itanistad belatedly thanked her for taking care of the family.

“Thank you so much. I should have done that first, but I lost my mind when Roa arrived in that state.”

“Don’t mention it; someone just needed to take care of it.”

Elina comforted the half-distraught Itanistad. A short while later, Estina, who had roughly washed and changed out of her wet clothes, returned to the living room. Even then, Roabellin’s painful screams continued to echo down the hallway.

“Ah, Aunt. You should rest more. You must be tired…. I’ll stay here.”

Itanistad tried to stop her, but Estina went straight to the delivery room where Roabellin was.

“I should at least be by Roa’s side. Everyone, please pray for Roa’s safe delivery.”

As Estina entered with a look of solemnity, Roabellin’s tearful voice welcoming her aunt could be heard for a brief moment. But immediately, intense pain seemed to overwhelm her again.

How many hours had passed like that? At one point, just as Roabellin’s scream seemed to grow louder, it suddenly went silent.

“Huh…?”

Just as Itanistad’s eyes widened in fear that something had gone wrong with his sister, an unfamiliar sound echoed from the delivery room.

“Waaaaah, waaaaah, waaaaah….”

Hearing the baby’s cry, Itanistad, Elina, and the family members who had been waiting anxiously in the living room all jumped up.

“Oh my goodness!!”

“Ah, finally…!!”

As everyone stared at the delivery room door with a mix of joy and slight anxiety, Estina opened the door slightly and stepped out after a while. She also looked extremely exhausted.

“Whew…. She delivered safely. Both Roa and Edel are healthy. Oh, Edel is a boy.”

At the news of the safe delivery, the family members’ faces finally brightened. After a short while, once the delivery room was tidied up and the medical staff had all left, the family was finally able to go inside and meet Roabellin. She was lying in bed, exhausted and with a deathly pale face. She was holding the baby in her arms.

“My heavens…. My Lady, you really went through so much.”

“Roa, look at your face. You really worked hard….”

As the family approached, Roabellin smiled weakly and showed them the baby. For a newborn, he was quite a handsome child.

“Wow…. If his hair color is like this now, it will be completely black when he grows up.”

The family, knowing the lineage of the first child born to a daughter of the Duchy, examined the baby closely.

“If it were a child with just anyone, they would have had platinum blonde hair. ‘That person’… must be a legitimate King.”

As Lisa spoke cautiously, Roabellin also looked closely at the baby’s face for the first time. She had forgotten for a brief moment in the chaos—that this child she had given birth to was also the Emperor’s child.

At the moment, the baby, who had been scowling with his eyes tightly shut, gently opened them. The family’s gaze instantly focused on the baby’s eyes.

“Huh…?”

The family was taken aback by what they saw.

“They’re… gold?”

“Why aren’t they blue? If the hair is black instead of platinum blonde, shouldn’t the eyes naturally be blue…?”

The baby’s eyes were golden, and around the pupil in the center was a galaxy-like pattern of deep gold, adding to the mystery. The servants’ eyes moved between Roabellin, Estina, and Itanistad, who all had platinum blonde hair and purple or blue eyes.

But the most surprised people were Roabellin and Itanistad, who knew Kaisertern’s face. Elina had seen the Emperor’s face, but being unfamiliar with the hereditary patterns of the Duchy, she hadn’t yet felt anything strange. Roabellin, hesitant for a moment, swallowed hard and spoke slowly.

“……E-Edel’s father has black hair and golden eyes….”

“Pardon?!”

The family members who had never seen Kaisertern were shocked and focused on the baby’s face again.

“Ah, could it be….”

Estina, searching her memory for a moment, spoke up.

“There’s a story I heard from my father a long time ago. He said that the hair and eye colors of the child between a direct-line daughter of Hertenes and a legitimate King aren’t actually fixed to just one set.”

This was new information even to Roabellin and Itanistad.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Everyone’s curious gazes focused on Estina.

“To be precise, the child between a direct-line daughter of the Duchy and the first King of a certain country who marries a Hertenes daughter inherits the hair and eye color of their father exactly. That then becomes the appearance of the legitimate King of that country for generations to come. So, because the first of the past Kings of Aventador who married a Hertenes daughter had black hair and blue eyes, the appearance of the subsequent legitimate Kings of Aventador was like that.”

“Uh…. I think I almost understand.”

Feeling it was a bit complex, Jeff tilted his head. Estina nodded slightly and added an explanation.

“Yes, let me explain with Edel’s case. The current Emperor of Prahenfelt is the first of that country’s past Emperors to have a child with a daughter of the Duchy, right?”

“I suppose so…?”

“And he was the legitimate Emperor. Because the child inherited the father’s hair and eye color exactly. This means that from now on, for generations, the first child born between a legitimate Emperor of this country and a daughter of the Duchy is fixed to have black hair and golden eyes. Oh, of course, this is assuming Edel becomes the next Emperor and the blood of the Duchy begins to mix into the Prahenfelt Imperial Family. If a child the current Emperor had with another woman becomes the Emperor, then the next Imperial descendant would obviously have an appearance unrelated to our Duchy.”

At this new information, Itanistad asked in a slightly surprised tone, “Th-then, if black hair and blue eyes aren’t absolute, are you saying the hair and eye colors of the first children born to direct-line Hertenes daughters can all be different?”

“Yes, exactly. It’s just that until now, Hertenes daughters have always been the Queens ‘of Aventador,’ so they gave birth to children with black hair and blue eyes.”

“Why didn’t I know this story?”

It was a question of why he, a direct-line and the eldest son, didn’t know a story that even Estina, from a branch family, knew. Estina understood his question and answered him.

“I also heard this story when I was young, when I was considered part of the direct line. Your father must not have had the chance to tell you because he passed away early. And since Hertenes has only ever married into the Aventador Royal Family, the fact that a child could have different hair and eye colors lost its meaning anyway.”

As if remembering something, Estina’s expression became a bit playful.

“There’s an actual case that supports this.”

Everyone’s curious eyes focused on her.

“A few hundred years ago, they say two direct-line daughters were born to our family. It’s a very rare occurrence. So the first daughter married the King of Aventador, and the second daughter married… somewhere else… a King of another kingdom. But the child she had with the King of that other kingdom is said to have had blonde hair and green eyes, exactly like the father.”

“Wow….”

While everyone stood with their mouths hanging open, Roabellin said with a small giggle, “Then our Edel is the second person to prove that heredity? Our family gets more mysterious the more I know. Aunt. We are… human, right?”

At her words, Estina chuckled and added, “I guess not. There’s another mysterious thing. In our family, there are no problems caused by consanguineous marriage starting from cousins.”

Indeed, as the Hertenes and the Aventador Royal Family were joined by marriage in almost every generation, marriages between close relatives were inevitable. While consanguineous marriage was common in royal and noble societies of various countries to preserve the purity of the bloodline, the resulting genetic diseases were always a problem.

However, even if a King whose mother was from the Duchy married a daughter of the next generation of the Duchy—that is, his own cousin—and had children, no genetic diseases were ever manifested in them. Thus, this too was often referred to as a mysterious power possessed by the Hertenes.

At Estina’s somewhat playful tone, smiles spread across the faces of the family members standing around. In the much-brightened atmosphere, Roabellin held the baby close and whispered in his ear.

“Edel, welcome to this world. I’ve become a mother thanks to you. I’ll do my best for you. Let’s do well together.”

Whether he understood his mother’s words or not, Edel scrunched up his nose and yawned with his tiny mouth. The baby’s golden eyes shone with a beautiful light even as they closed during the yawn.

“Oh, my heavens….”

Overwhelmed by the fact that she had brought such a perfect being into the world, Roabellin’s eyes welled up with tears. The family members, having welcomed a new member, looked at the mother and child with warm eyes. The long day that had begun with a desperate struggle came to a warm conclusion after a long period of hardship.

***

The group shared a moment of conversation to bless Edel before the servants retired to their respective rooms to rest. Estina, Itanistad, and Elina remained in Roabellin’s room to talk a little longer. With Edel asleep in the crib prepared next to Roabellin’s bed, they continued their conversation in hushed tones.

“Roa, you did so well. The situation wasn’t ideal, but I’m so relieved that both you and Edel are healthy.”

“Tell me about it. Thanks, Aunt. Now that it’s over, I can say it—they call it a ‘safe delivery,’ but it hurt sooooooo much. From now on, I’m never using the word ‘safe delivery’ lightly with anyone else.”

As Roabellin spoke with a faint smile, Itanistad—suddenly reminded of her agonizing screams—embraced his sister with teary eyes.

“Indeed. You’re magnificent, my sister. You really suffered. I wasn’t there by your side, but every time you cried out, it felt like my heart was being ripped out. Truly, because of that bastard…!”

Itanistad apparently still dared to refer to the Emperor as a bastard. At his consistent and firm phrasing, Roabellin finally burst into laughter.

“Pfft, I told you it’s not like that, Brother. Conceiving Edel was first a revelation from Dominador, and it was also a choice I made. His Majesty didn’t abandon me; I chose to leave. As you saw yourself, he isn’t that kind of reckless person. He… gave me many beautiful memories. Even though he likely believed I was a commoner.”

The laughter faded from Roabellin’s face as she thought of Kaisertern. Noticing this, Estina gently took her hand.

“…Roa. Giving birth without the child’s father—was it sorrowful or difficult?”

Since leaving Kaisertern, Roabellin had rarely spoken of him in front of her family. Consequently, the family hadn’t pried. However, Estina sensed that while Roabellin was trying hard to forget him, she hadn’t been able to erase him from her heart.

In truth, since her departure and even during today’s labor, Roabellin had continuously recalled Kaisertern’s face and their memories.

‘During the contractions, I imagined him holding my hand. Through eyes blurred by pain, I felt like I could see him holding the newborn Edel and smiling happily. But, this is a situation I brought upon myself. How could I say it was hard?’

Roabellin quickly shook her head slightly and answered with forced cheer.

“No, not really. I found myself thinking about my mother a lot. Thinking, ‘Mother must have given birth to me like this too, I miss her’… Let’s stop talking about the child’s father. This is my child whom I carried and birthed with difficulty, and he is a child of Hertenes.”

Sitting next to Itanistad, Elina spoke up with intentional playfulness.

“Oh, come to think of it, isn’t Edel the eldest grandson of the Hertenes house? Since Hertenes already has an heir, I won’t have to give birth, will I? Itan told me that if push comes to shove, we should raise Edel as our own. Hoho.”

It seemed Itan had shared the half-joking conversation they had four months ago with Elina as well. Roabellin replied while tracing the sleeping Edel’s face with warm eyes.

“I wouldn’t mind that, but… looking at the child’s appearance, I think it’s simply impossible.”

Elina’s eyes widened at the use of the word “impossible” rather than “I don’t want to.” Seeing her reaction, Roabellin smiled and continued.

“A son of my brother’s would absolutely have to have platinum blonde hair and eyes that are either blue, green, or wine-colored. If it were a daughter, she’d have platinum blonde hair and, most likely, purple eyes. Anyone who knows the Hertenes lineage would immediately know Edel isn’t Brother’s son.”

“Aha…!”

Elina, still unfamiliar with the unique Hertenes hereditary traits, finally understood and lightly tapped her knee. Roabellin smiled at her again, expressing her gratitude.

“My Lady. You provided this beautiful home, and you’ve looked after my brother… I have nothing but gratitude for you. I’ll raise Edel here myself, so please just stop by and check on us from time to time.”

“Oh, I can’t do just that. I’ll come to see Edel often and quietly. Don’t worry about living expenses or supplies while you’re raising the child.”

“…Thank you so much. Truly.”

Once a Marquis’s daughter raised in luxury, Elina had become a person who knew how to care for others thoughtfully. At her kindness, Roabellin felt a warm sensation in her chest.

Then, Estina, who had been peering at the peacefully sleeping Edel, asked Roabellin.

“So, Roa, have you thought of a name for Edel?”

Since the child was born safely, it was time to give him a real name rather than just his fetal name.

“Ah, I’ve thought of a few. Actually, because I hoped for a daughter, I mostly only thought of girls’ names. So I’ll have to think a bit more about a name for a son.”

Roabellin reached out and gently touched Edel’s hand, which was curled into a tiny fist.

“…Since Edel is a son, he won’t have the Hertenes divine power, but I hope he at least inherited his father’s mana well.”

At her words, Estina and Itanistad, guessing why she had wanted a daughter, looked quietly at Edel. Unaware of the blood he carried or the power latent within him, the infant Edel slept like an angel.

***

Meanwhile, Kaisertern and his guards quickly passed through several small towns and arrived in Jakt. As Iskal had said, perhaps because the protection magic had been lifted, they were able to detect traces of Roabellin little by little. However, even then, her footsteps were not easily caught.

“I feel traces of mana, but… the amount of mana remaining is too minuscule to track the movement path.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty. Even when we tried to use amplification magic, the mana quantity was too insufficient for it…!”

Ultimately, they had no choice but to conduct an inquiry among the local people rather than relying on mana detection. After scattering and asking around, one of the guards reported what he had heard from a local.

“They say a family with a strange composition lived on the outskirts of the village near the foot of the mountain. However, none of them have been seen at all for several days.”

Kaisertern asked back, raising an eyebrow.

“A strange composition?”

“Yes, they say a man in his 50s, a woman appearing to be in her 30s, and a man who looked like he wasn’t even 20 would occasionally take turns coming out to shop.”

“…A difficult age range to be seen as a couple and their children.”

“Yes. And very occasionally, a beautiful woman in her 20s accompanied them, though people’s accounts of this woman’s age and appearance characteristics were somewhat conflicting.”

“How so?”

“It was certain she was a young beauty, but they say her hair and eye colors weren’t always the same. Sometimes it was brown, sometimes gold; some say she was around 20, while others say she looked over her mid-20s.”

In truth, this was because Roabellin and Estina had gone out while slightly changing their hair and eye colors and facial features. Since their outings were rare and seen from a distance, the locals had apparently assumed the “beauty in her 20s” was one person. However, Kaisertern found a hint in those conflicting testimonies. For the first time in a long while, a light of hope flickered in his golden eyes.

“Find the house where that family lived. We will check if any traces of mana remain from there.”

None of the locals knew the exact location of the house. Consequently, it took some effort, but the guard knights eventually found the house where Roabellin and her family had lived after searching all the private homes in the vicinity. Kaisertern entered the empty house and examined the mana remaining inside.

“Indeed, there are very faint traces of mana left. It seems they used mana routinely while living in this house.”

If some objects frequently touched by the mana user remained here while others were taken, it was possible to track them by resonating the mana signatures left on the objects. However, there was a problem.

Not a single object remained in the house now. It was a perfectly empty home.

“Find out what happened.”

A guard who had just checked outside came in to report.

“It seems that as this family left, they burned all the household tools and furniture in the backyard.”

“Ha.”

Kaisertern let out a sigh, his brow furrowed. While they could faintly detect traces of the mana they had used while residing in the house long-term, it was too much to hope for mana to be detected along all the paths they had traveled.

‘Unless they used strong mana continuously while moving…’

Furthermore, since three days had passed since the communication device was connected, even if traces had remained, they would have mostly dispersed and vanished by now. As the days passed, the range of locations where she could be had expanded uncontrollably.

In the past, Kaisertern had used Gates to teleport across the entire continent. Consequently, he hadn’t really felt how vast the empire and the continent were. ‘Is this what it feels like to look for a needle in a haystack?’ Despair rushed in like a dark cloud. it was a feeling he had never experienced in his entire life.

‘How could she hear my voice and flee so desperately? How could she leave without a single trace? Roa. Is this truly your will?’

He had thought he could surely catch her this time. Thinking he had missed the clue to find her yet again, his vision turned dark and his heart tightened. Moreover, this confirmed that she had left him of her own accord.

Kaisertern slowly sat down leaning against a tree trunk and let out a long sigh. He sat there for a long time, forced to accept that he had lost this chase.

In his heart, he wanted to personally scour the surrounding area for months. But he was an Emperor carrying a vast continent. Since he had rushed out leaving everything behind, his key ministers would currently be overexerting themselves to fill his absence. He couldn’t abandon his empire, so he forced himself to turn back, his feet feeling like lead.

He decided to have a set number of people continue searching for Roabellin, and only if a decisive report came in would Kaisertern himself join the pursuit. It was the minimum compromise to maintain the administration of state affairs. He partially stepped back from searching for her, and a few months passed as he attended to the long-neglected state affairs.

***

Amidst the peace, the Ducal Territory of Gelayen grew increasingly wealthy, and Roabellin’s baby, Ezekiel, grew healthy and strong. Because it was a somewhat long name in the Aventador noble style, the family usually called the baby by the nickname ‘El.’ Itanistad and Elina often came to see Ezekiel, pretending they were out to survey the outskirts of Gelayen.

“El! Careful!”

“Kyaaa…! Abu! Giggles…!”

Before long, Ezekiel had passed the stages of crawling and pulling himself up and was beginning to walk. It was also a time when one couldn’t take their eyes off him, fearing he might fall and get hurt or cause some other accident. Consequently, Roabellin and her family had to take turns chasing the baby all day long.

“If I take my eyes off him for even a second, he can’t resist and ends up falling and getting scraped. His development is quite fast for his age anyway, but I don’t know why he’s so eager to try and walk so fast.”

Lisa would often grumble while rubbing her lower back or the back of her neck. But even as she spoke, honey-sweet affection dripped from her eyes as she looked at Ezekiel.

Ezekiel was certainly a child anyone would find adorable. He was a troublemaker, but he would burst into giggles at a light touch and went to anyone in the family to be held. Though he had a very beautiful appearance, his looks were certainly distinct among this family.

His hair, which was light grayish-brown at birth, gradually darkened to black, and his large eyes still sparkled golden. And above all else…

“My, every time I see El, he looks like his father instead of Roabellin. No, to be honest, it’s like the child’s father has returned to his infancy…!”

Elina, who knew Kaisertern’s face, spoke with amazement every time. She had become almost like family and had decided to speak comfortably with Roabellin.

In truth, Itanistad secretly felt the same as Elina. However, unwilling to admit it, he tried hard to find parts of Roabellin in Ezekiel.

“I-it’s not exactly like that! That bright and lovely personality! Where do you think that came from? And the jawline, or the overall feeling…!”

Picking up the child who had fallen again, Roabellin cut off her brother’s words.

“Oh, Brother. Let’s admit what we have to admit. Honestly, El is the spitting image of his father right now. But they say babies’ faces change dozens of times as they grow, right? Parts of me will show up as he gets older.”

Whenever this topic came up, she tried to pass it off with a joke. But in truth, Roabellin also couldn’t help but think of Kaisertern when she looked at Ezekiel. An undeniable, powerful trace seen in her baby whom she looked at all day, every day.

‘He’s like this because he’s a baby, but he’ll look more like his father as he grows. How can I ever forget Kai this way? He feels like he’s always in front of me…’

The urgent voice of Estina brought Roabellin back to reality from her brief musings.

“Oh, Itan! Did you see that just now? Mana coming from El’s hand?”

“Wait, it was just now? Ugh, I missed it again!”

As he grew, mana began to manifest faintly from Ezekiel. Roabellin gave a brief explanation for Itanistad and Elina, who hadn’t seen the scene.

“It comes out weakly from his hand once in a while like this when he’s about to cry or when he’s concentrating on something. When that happens, the pupils of his eyes change to a long vertical shape. Just like a legendary dragon…!”

Then Estina supplemented the explanation. Having attended magic school, she knew the most about mana among them.

“If El has mana, it’s naturally inherited from the paternal side, and looking at that eye shape, the attribute of his mana is likely draconic. Or perhaps dragon blood was mixed in among his ancestors. Children born with mana usually manifest it after the age of seven, but seeing the signs already, the amount or strength of mana El was born with must be immense.”

“Our El might be a descendant of a dragon…?”

Roabellin held Ezekiel up and looked into his golden eyes, speaking with wonder. The pupils were currently round as usual. When his mother brought her face close, the child giggled again, finding it fun.

“He really is a child who laughs a lot. Fufu. Anyway, the child’s mana appeared incredibly early. It’s a good thing we use divine power; otherwise, it would have been a disaster raising a young child who doesn’t know how to control his own mana.”

“Right. Use your mana a bit more slowly, our El.”

Estina approached Ezekiel, who was in Roabellin’s arms, and spoke soothingly while lightly holding his tiny hand. Estina’s eyes were full of love as she looked at the child.

***

Looking at her growing child, Roabellin occasionally allowed herself thoughts she hadn’t dared to have while busy hiding.

‘Now that the reconstruction of Hertenes has progressed significantly, what would happen if I took El to Kai…?’

Looking at the child sleeping soundly like an angel, Roabellin imagined herself going to the Imperial Palace and placing Ezekiel in Kaisertern’s arms. In her imagination, he held the child with the happiest face in the world.

But perhaps because she had grown accustomed to the life of a long-time fugitive, she felt that something terrible would happen if Kaisertern found out.

‘Perhaps he might hold me accountable for the crime of fleeing while carrying an Imperial descendant. In the worst case, he might even punish our family for shielding me.’

Since she hadn’t seen him for a year and a half, it wouldn’t be strange if his heart had changed in that time. Furthermore, Kaisertern was certainly a good man, but that didn’t mean she could predict all his actions.

‘He is an Emperor ruling a vast empire. There’s a high possibility that the side of him I know isn’t everything. If so, it’ll be safest to act as defensively as possible.’

With a child to protect, she couldn’t afford to take bold actions based on probability. There were other things weighing on her mind as well.

‘We still don’t know if Heymelic attacked our house as the Emperor of Prahenfelt or for some other personal reason. If it’s the former, it’s literally like walking into a tiger’s den.’

Itanistad’s past story that Kaisertern seemed to be considering another woman as his spouse also weighed on her.

‘If I tell Kai of El’s existence and he marries another woman… will El be taken from me and raised as a motherless nuisance in the palace? And since my brother doesn’t have children yet, for now, El is the only next-generation descendant of Hertenes. So I definitely can’t have him taken away. Let’s not have useless thoughts and raise El safely as we are now.’

Roabellin settled her troubled heart and resolved to continue living in hiding with her family and raising the child. Thus, a few more quiet and peaceful moments passed, without her having any idea of what was happening in the Imperial Palace.

***

“Your Majesty, petitions have arrived once again from the nobles, expressing concern over your unmarried status and urging you to take an Empress.”

These were the periodic petitions from certain aristocrats. They all spoke as if they were worried for the Empire and the Imperial family, but…

‘Their true intentions are obvious. Each one is pushing their own daughter, granddaughter, or niece. I keep refusing, yet they are persistent.’

Kaisertern, who had been focused on reading documents, knit his brows tightly. He wasn’t naturally prone to irritability, but he made an exception for this particular subject that had been hounding him lately.

“Tell those who sent these exactly what I say. Ask them if I am a breeding stallion—if I’m simply meant to take just anyone as Empress to leave behind an heir. If that isn’t their intent, tell them I will handle my own companion, so never send such things again.”

At his blunt words, Count Raymond, who had brought the petitions, turned deathly pale.

“Yo-Your Majesty, h-how could I possibly d-deliver such a message?”

The ones who had sent the petitions were high-ranking nobles that even Count Raymond could not easily ignore. Regardless, Kaisertern turned his gaze back to his papers and replied as he continued reading.

“It is your job to soften the words while ensuring the intent is delivered clearly. That’s all for today. Deliver that message tomorrow.”

Leaving behind a near-tears Count Raymond, Kaisertern gathered his documents and left the office.

‘I can’t focus on work at all like this. I’ll finish reviewing these where there are no nuisances before I sleep.’

He went to his private study attached to the bedroom. There, he worked late into the night, conducting a final review of next year’s operational plans for major regions within the Empire. In truth, because this place held memories of Roabellin, he hadn’t used it much since her disappearance. If his mind wandered even for a moment, thoughts of her would haunt him.

But when he wanted to focus on work without being interrupted by this person or that, he had no choice but to bring his documents here.

As he rapidly checked last year’s settlements and next year’s proposals, it became Gelayen’s turn. Seeing the name Gelayen brought Duke Itanistad Hertenes to mind, and subsequently, Roabellin—who looked exactly like him—followed.

‘Damn it… I told myself I wouldn’t think of her.’

Biting his lower lip, he shook his head slightly and focused back on the Gelayen report. Since becoming a Hertenes Ducal Territory, the region’s development was breathtakingly fast, shown clearly in numbers rather than mere rhetoric.

‘Several officials who visited there couldn’t stop praising the incredible progress of Gelayen.’

Closing his eyes for a moment, Kaisertern recalled the ruins of old Gelayen, then Itanistad, and finally, Roabellin’s face once more. He opened his eyes as if he had made a decision. Beneath his handsome, cool gaze, his golden pupils flashed.

The next morning, Kaisertern instructed his Chief Chamberlain.

“Send an urgent message to the Duke of Hertenes. Inform him that I will be conducting an inspection of Gelayen tomorrow. It will be a two-to-three-day schedule, and I will travel with a minimal entourage.”

Though it was a sudden command, the experienced Chamberlain replied calmly.

“Understood. I will adjust your schedule for the next three days accordingly.”

“Good. Tell Count Raymond to select the accompanying personnel. And tell him not to think about skipping it himself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A literal storm swept through the Imperial Palace for the rest of the day—preparing the entourage, the Emperor’s personal belongings, and the imperial gifts to be brought to Gelayen.

Of course, the same was true for Gelayen, which was about to receive the sudden imperial inspection.

“Agh! Why is he coming so suddenly?!”

At the incredibly tight schedule, Itanistad screamed, clutching his hair. The Hertenes Ducal Castle in Gelayen spent its most frantic day since becoming a Duchy—conducting a deep clean to welcome the Emperor, giving emergency training to servants, and preparing rooms for the Emperor and his guests.

And the next day, the Emperor and his entourage appeared suddenly before the Gelayen gates via a magic gate. This was because a barrier had been placed around the castle to prevent anyone from using gates to enter directly without inspection.

Itanistad, Elina, and the administrators, who were waiting in advance, greeted the Emperor’s party at the gate.

“We greet the Sun of the Empire, His Imperial Majesty. You must be weary from your long journey.”

Receiving the greeting, Kaisertern approached Itanistad and offered a friendly greeting.

“It’s embarrassing to hear that when you know I traveled here instantly via a gate.”

Only then did Itanistad relax his expression and reply.

“It was a formal greeting, but I apologize if I made you feel awkward.”

The two men shared a loud laugh and entered the castle harmoniously with the rest of the group.

“WAAAAAAA!!!”

As the gates opened, a massive cheer erupted. Kaisertern’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected sound. On both sides of the path, the people of Gelayen stood in lines, throwing flowers and welcoming the Emperor’s visit.

“It seems rumors of Your Majesty’s visit leaked out. They say everyone came out wishing to behold your countenance.”

Itanistad, standing beside Kaisertern, spoke with a proud smile. To think the people of Gelayen, who once felt marginalized by the Empire, would welcome the Emperor’s visit like this. Kaisertern raised his hand to greet the citizens and said, “I can certainly see now how wonderfully you have captured the hearts of the people.”

Compared to when he had visited a few months ago, the change was stark. The roads were neatly maintained, and the streets looked fresh. The people’s expressions were bright, and the entire city felt vibrant.

They headed to the Margrave’s administrative office. Itanistad and the chief administrator immediately reported Gelayen’s current status to the Emperor. After finishing a city inspection under their guidance, Kaisertern felt very satisfied. The once-weak borders were now strong, and Gelayen was becoming prosperous.

“I thought you had only organized the borders well, but your finances are robust as well.”

At the Emperor’s praise, Itanistad replied with an embarrassed expression.

“The tax reform and the policies that revitalized Gelayen’s economy all came from Lady Rodain.”

“Is that so? The Lady is truly remarkable. Ah, then may I expect news of a wedding soon?”

At Kaisertern’s question, which asked as if it were a given, Itanistad’s face turned slightly red.

“Ah, it should be soon… We decided to hold the ceremony once Gelayen reaches a stable track.”

“Looking at the current state, you could do it tomorrow and it would be fine.”

Kaisertern, who was trying to picture the wedding of this well-matched couple in his mind, ended up connecting it to someone else.

“Ah, Ro…”

“Pardon?”

He was about to ask Itanistad if there was any news from Roabellin but closed his mouth. He thought that if Itanistad had reunited with his sister, he surely would have shared such big news.

“No, it’s nothing. More importantly…”

Kaisertern, not wanting to disturb Itanistad’s peace by bringing up his missing sister, changed the subject.

***

Roabellin had a new worry lately. She often visited the market after changing her hair and eye color, and a man named Marty—one of the local thugs who saw her there—had set his sights on her.

“Hey, pretty lady, I haven’t seen your face around here before. Was there such a beauty in this backwater? How about a cup of tea with me? Or maybe somewhere better… hehehe.”

Roabellin refused politely every time, but he didn’t stop his rude pestering. Far from stopping, his harassment grew worse. What started as verbal taunts escalated to grabbing her shoulder or arm, and eventually to wrapping his arm around her waist from behind. Unable to bear it, Roabellin started bringing Jeff to the market, hoping that lying about having a husband would make him give up.

“Please, stop this! I’m a married woman!”

Marty seemed to flinch for a moment upon seeing Jeff, but he soon flashed a greasy smile.

“Hah, this brat? If he were really your husband, there’s no way he would have stayed quiet until now. You’re lying to me? You’re quite cute, aren’t you?”

Being a lowlife who lived by swindling others on the streets, he was very quick-witted.

“N-no, we are a real couple!”

“Ha! Where do you think you’re playing tricks?”

The situation had only become more tangled. She had never dreamed that her quiet endurance to avoid attention would lead to this.

‘I have to tell brother.’

Having failed to reject him quietly, she told Itanistad about Marty during his visit the next day. Consequently, Marty was hauled away by the security forces sent by the Duke and had to spend a few days in the holding cell.

“What is this! What did I do?!”

“It’s the crime of threatening the public peace of this region. I can think of several charges right now, can’t you?”

A much harsher punishment was possible, but Roabellin, not wanting to draw attention in the local community, had requested only a warning, resulting in a lenient sentence. But luck was poor. The very day after his release, Marty spotted Roabellin—holding her baby—and Jeff in the market.

“Because of them… I won’t let this go! I’ll teach them a lesson they won’t forget.”

He believed he had suffered unfairly because of something trivial and prepared his revenge.

***

“Phew… That was truly hectic.”

Itanistad let out a long breath only after returning to his room following the evening banquet. Having spent the entire day following the Emperor and inspecting the city, he was exhausted in both body and mind. While soaking in warm bathwater and organizing the day’s events, a thought suddenly struck him.

‘Ah, right. His Majesty was the bastard who got our Roa pregnant…!!’

Recalling this fact after a long time, he shuddered with a fresh wave of anger. However, seeing Ezekiel grow more adorable day by day, his hatred and anger had actually faded significantly.

‘But all day today, I felt like I was forgetting something. What is this emptiness… AH!!!’

Only after having a moment to think calmly did he remember.

‘I forgot to tell Roa and the family that the Emperor was coming!! What do I do?!’

He should have told them not to leave the house during the Emperor’s visit. He had completely forgotten because the Emperor had given such short notice and the preparations had been a whirlwind.

‘But they rarely leave the garden anyway, and since I’m in charge of protocol and will be by His Majesty’s side all day, there’s no way he could have seen Roa. Me or Elina going there now would only draw more attention. Let’s just hope tomorrow passes quietly.’

Having thought of a reasonable excuse, Itanistad soaked his weary body deep into the hot water.

***

The next day, Elina fell ill with a fever. Just in case she might pass a major illness to the Emperor, confirming her diagnosis was the priority. Consequently, Itanistad put aside his duties with the Emperor and spent a busy morning calling a physician to check her condition. Fortunately, the diagnosis confirmed that Elina had a severe case of body aches due to the tension and fatigue of the previous day.

“I am perfectly fine. Since things turned out this way, I will clear my schedule and rest, so do not mind me and take good care of Lady Rodain so she recovers well.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. Then please rest until lunchtime.”

They parted after these words, but Kaisertern did not stay still as Itanistad had hoped. He informed only Count Raymond and quietly slipped out of the castle alone on horseback. He wanted to personally observe the everyday appearance of the alleys, away from Gelayen’s main roads.

‘I won’t be able to see things as they truly are if I travel with the Duke.’

His wandering through Gelayen’s small alleys gradually led him toward the outskirts.

‘It isn’t much different from what I saw during the inspection. But… what is that?’

It was strange. From a distance, he could intermittently sense a faint mana. Mana itself was basically very rare, and he felt concerned because it felt similar to his own.

‘It isn’t as if they’re casting a spell; it’s definitely unusual to be leaking mana so irregularly. I’ll just check who it is and what the situation is.’

Thinking lightly of it, he approached the source of the mana silently. But then, from beyond the tall grass beside him, he heard the screams of a young man and woman.

“KYAAAA!!”

“Ugh, argh…!”

He knew without seeing. An urgent situation was unfolding right behind the grass. Without a second thought, Kaisertern immediately turned his horse and went around the tall grass.

“?!”

What he saw there was both expected and completely startling. A man with a mean impression seemed to have stabbed another young man in the shoulder with a knife. Blood was splattered around the man collapsed on the ground. And the young woman trembling behind him while clutching a baby was…

“Ro…”

But before he could even properly open his mouth, the man who had pulled the knife from the bleeding man approached her.

***

Roabellin and Jeff were on their way back from the market with Ezekiel.

“Jeff, I feel like someone has been following us for a while.”

“Actually, I felt the same way. You noticed it too, My Lady?”

As Jeff confirmed her vague suspicion, the hair on the back of Roabellin’s neck stood up. Who could it be? Was it time for Marty to be released from the holding cell, or was it—could it possibly be—?

“L-let’s hurry.”

It was just as they entered the mouth of a deserted forest path, quickening their pace.

“You’ve come a long way. This is where you’ll find your graves!”

The man who appeared behind them was indeed Marty. He lunged forward without hesitation and stabbed Jeff in a single motion. Roabellin’s scream ripped through the silent forest.

“KYAAAA!!”

“Ugh… argh…!”

Marty pulled the blade from the groaning, bleeding Jeff and approached Roabellin. Droplets of blood thudded onto the ground from his knife with every step. Roabellin wanted to run to Jeff and check on him, but the situation pressing down on her was too urgent.

“D-don’t come any closer…!”

Roabellin backed away until her back hit a tree, and she slid down to the ground. In the face of extreme terror, her legs shook so violently she couldn’t stand.

“What’s this? A brat? I’ll just get rid of this thing first—”

Noticing the baby she was clutching tightly, Marty scowled and raised his knife. Roabellin was too shocked even to scream; she instinctively shielded Ezekiel with her own body. Suddenly, a brilliant white divine power erupted from her, surrounding her and the baby. Though it was a power she couldn’t normally control, it seemed to manifest in this life-threatening moment to protect its master.

However, Marty never finished his sentence, nor did he have the chance to be surprised by the sudden light. A blade, flying silently from behind, pierced through his heart. He collapsed sideways without making a sound.

Thud.

At the sound of the body hitting the ground, Roabellin cautiously opened her tightly shut eyes. Marty had been flung back, and in his place stood a tall man. Because the stranger was backlit by the sun and Roabellin was in a state of shock, his face didn’t register immediately. She only realized she was trembling when she looked down at her hands still gripping Ezekiel.

“Ah…”

The divine power that had manifested around her had vanished. Her body felt so weak she couldn’t even stand up. Did he see my power? Who is this man? Her mind was a chaotic mess, but she decided she must first thank the savior who had spared her life.

“Th-thank you…”

She tried to stay composed, but her voice shook uncontrollably.

“…”

The tall man watched her silently for a moment before slowly lowering himself onto one knee. The man, possessing noble golden eyes, looked into her face and spoke in a low, steady voice.

“You must have been very frightened. It’s alright now.”

As Roabellin’s eyes adjusted to the sunlight, the man’s face finally came into focus. Her eyes widened in pure shock as she recognized him.

The master of this land, the greatest man in the Empire, and Ezekiel’s father. Kaisertern was staring into her eyes with his deep golden gaze, reaching a hand out toward her.

After a moment of frozen silence, the colors slowly returned to her white-blanked mind.

“Ha… haaa…”

Roabellin finally exhaled the breath she had been holding. She had been so stunned she had forgotten to breathe.

“Your… Majesty.”

Kaisertern scanned every corner of Roabellin’s face with calm eyes. Though she had changed her hair and eye color for her outing, it was her face—unmistakable. The face he had longed for, searched for so desperately… a face so missed that he had even felt resentment at times. Because all those emotions couldn’t be summed up in one word, the first thing he said was surprisingly simple.

“…Are you hurt anywhere?”

It was a kind voice, yet his tone was short and somewhat stiff. At the sound of his familiar manner of speaking, Roabellin fully realized that this was indeed Kaisertern.

“Yes, I… I am fine. More importantly, Your Majesty, h-how are you… here…?”

Her flustered response was a mess. But Kaisertern continued to observe her, answering calmly to put her at ease.

“I came to inspect the Duchy. But you… how did you end up in a place so far away as this?”

In that instant, a thought flashed through his mind.

‘This is the Hertenes Duchy.’

A delayed realization, accompanied by a sharp sting of betrayal, struck Kaisertern.

‘Could the Duke have possibly been unaware that his own sister was living on his land?’

But this wasn’t the time for anger. He took a deep breath to focus on the woman in front of him.

Pausing his words, Kaisertern finally noticed the baby she was clutching as if her life depended on it. Ezekiel, whose hair and eye colors had been changed by a mild magic potion for infants, was dozing with his head wrapped in a blanket. The fact that he hadn’t woken or cried during this chaos suggested he had a remarkably sturdy personality.

“Whose child is this?”

‘…It’s finally happened.’

Roabellin hesitated for a split second.

‘Should I say he’s my aunt’s child? Or mine and Jeff’s? Or…’

As she looked away in thought, her eyes landed on Jeff, who was lying in a pool of blood behind Kaisertern.

“Ah, Jeff!!”

Snapping back to reality, she stumbled toward Jeff while still wearing the baby carrier. It didn’t look like a fatal wound, but he was losing consciousness due to the heavy bleeding. She had to stop the blood. Roabellin glanced back at Kaisertern, hesitating.

‘When we first met in the alleys of Vicentium, he asked what it was when he saw my healing power. Is it okay to show Kai my divine power like this?’

She struggled for a moment, but there was no other choice.

‘Even if I have to explain later, I have to save Jeff first.’

Taking a deep breath, she drew divine power into her palms. It was the familiar golden, powder-like energy. The thin streams of power flowed toward Jeff’s wound in undulating waves.

After a few moments, the bleeding stopped, and the torn muscles and skin began to knit back together. Once the open wound had closed significantly, she stopped. Rather than overexerting herself to heal him completely, it was better to close the urgent injury and treat him with medicine at home.

Kaisertern watched Roabellin from right behind her, his thoughts traveling in a completely different direction than she expected.

‘Yes. Back then, at the Aventador royal hunting grounds, she healed me just like that.’

When Roabellin withdrew her hands from Jeff, Kaisertern brought his mind back from his memories. He stepped forward, lifted the unconscious Jeff, and carefully slung him over one shoulder.

“I will put this man on my horse and secure him so he doesn’t fall. Lead me to your home.”

‘What?!’

Roabellin was horrified by his kind offer. To personally lead the Emperor of Prahenfelt—the man she had fled from—to her own home? It was unthinkable.

‘But…’

If she refused his help, there was no way she could get the unconscious Jeff home while carrying Ezekiel. Besides, Kaisertern wasn’t about to let her go easily anyway. After a brief internal struggle, Roabellin reluctantly took the lead.

“This way… please.”

Kaisertern placed Jeff on his horse and secured him with magic. Thus, he held the reins while Roabellin walked beside him, cradling Ezekiel.

As they walked slowly to match Roabellin’s pace, the two were silent for a time. Kaisertern had many questions and much he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to start.

‘It’s a strange thought, but walking side-by-side like this is better than I expected.’

Kaisertern slowed his already leisurely pace even further. While walking and watching Roabellin, his curiosity about the identity of the sleeping baby resurfaced.

Was it possible that an eternal, indelible link now existed between him and Roabellin? A faint hope rose within him. His heart pounded wildly. He maintained a calm, feigned indifference, but his question was direct.

“That child. Is he yours?”

Roabellin bit her lower lip.

‘Of course. He won’t just let it go.’

She could use Jeff’s condition as an excuse earlier, but this was Kaisertern. He wasn’t someone who would move on without confirming what he wanted to know.

“…Yes.”

The woman he had searched for so long had given birth during that time. Kaisertern took on a contemplative expression. After a moment, he moved straight to the next question.

“Who is the father?”

She took a short breath to hide her hesitation and answered immediately.

“I don’t know.”

“What?”

At the unexpected answer, Kaisertern’s brow furrowed.

“How does that make sense?”

“I just… met a man passing by and we hit it off.”

“What?”

“Things like this are common for commoners like me.”

At her seamless response, Kaisertern’s gaze grew eerily calm. Roabellin stepped forward to hide her flushing cheeks, a result of telling such an absurd lie. Kaisertern, watching the back of her head, spoke quietly.

“A commoner?”

He let out a short, light scoff.

“I came here knowing everything.”

At those unexpected words, Roabellin froze. Stopping in her tracks, her mind became a whirlwind of confusion.

‘What does that mean? How much does he know?’

Her words came out stuttered, matching her disorganized thoughts.

“I… I don’t know what you mean by knowing everything…”

In contrast to her, Kaisertern’s expression was relaxed.

“Everything about you.”

Roabellin quickly imagined the worst-case scenario. But then…

‘…No. He might just be testing me without actually knowing my true identity. I shouldn’t give myself away first. He might just be talking about the family details I fabricated when I created the identity “Yulli.”’

She decided to play dumb until the very last moment. Lying to the Emperor was a grave crime, but she had a child to protect even if it meant risking that.

“Yes. If it’s about me, you already know everything since I told you when I was at the Imperial Palace. Please give me the reins and be on your way. Thank you for your help.”

As she tried to cut the conversation short, Kaisertern smirked slightly.

“You seem quite flustered. This is the horse I rode here on. And besides, it makes no sense. The daughter of a prestigious Ducal house raising a child whose father she doesn’t know? You, Roabellin Hertenes?”

“…!!!”

Roabellin froze on the spot. Her vision went white, and for a moment, even her ears felt muffled.

‘How… how? How on earth did he find out? How much does he know?’

She couldn’t think. A hurricane was howling in her mind.

Kaisertern walked over and stood directly in front of the paralyzed Roabellin.

“Roabellin. Roa. It’s been a long time.”

The man, now inches from her face, called her by the real name she had never told him. But Roabellin couldn’t even open her mouth, let alone answer his greeting.

“It’s good to see you. Is this the first time I’m seeing ‘Roabellin,’ not Yulli, in eight—no, is it nine years now?”

Roabellin immediately understood what he meant by “nine years ago.”

‘Ah. He remembers. This man remembers that day at the hunting grounds nine years ago… he remembers me. That means he truly knows everything about my identity.’

Realizing that the “Roabellin” he was referring to was the version of herself from back then, she stood in silence, neither affirming nor denying his words. It was all she could do just to remain standing and not collapse. Kaisertern pressed her further.

“We have so much to talk about. But let’s start with this. Whose child is that?”

Kaisertern didn’t even wait for Roabellin to sift through her messy thoughts for an answer.

“Is he the illegitimate child of some Aventador noble?”

At his persistent questioning, Roabellin instinctively pulled the baby closer.

“Why… why is that important?”

“The child looks somewhat familiar.”

As Kaisertern’s questioning continued, Roabellin’s anxiety spiked.

‘The magic on El’s hair and eyes will wear off soon… I don’t have time for this. I have to get out of here!’

Her heart racing, she hurried to end the conversation.

“He is the child I gave birth to, so of course he resembles me. You show too much interest in the daughter of a fallen foreign house. Your Majesty, please find an Empress from a prestigious Imperial family and live happily. I will take my leave.”

But he wasn’t about to let her go so easily.

“Then, why did you enter the Imperial Palace back then?”

The initiative in the conversation had shifted entirely to Kaisertern. His questions were as relaxed as a lion that had cornered its prey, while Roabellin had to scramble for answers like a hunted deer.

“…My family disappeared, and I realized I could no longer live the life I had before. Since it came to that, I wanted to experience different things. I heard rumors that the Emperor was a great beauty, and I was curious about the glamorous palace, so I entered as a laborer.” Roabellin chose her words carefully. “But, having lived as a commoner for so long, I suppose I became accustomed to it. I found the strict discipline of the palace suffocating. So, I left on a whim. I apologize for leaving without a word, but that was a long time ago. I like my life now. Please just let me live like this.”

Kaisertern, who had been listening to her somewhat plausible excuse with interest, dropped a single sentence.

“I see. And while you were in the palace, you and I spent quite a few nights together.”

At the sudden, direct remark, Roabellin’s face filled with panic. It meant that no matter what she said, he strongly suspected Ezekiel’s identity. Since he wasn’t the type to back down, she had to come up with some kind of excuse.

“Th-that’s… as I told you before. I have a lot of experience with men. To be honest, I’m confused about which man’s child he is.”

She felt she had gone too far with that lie, but Kaisertern’s expression didn’t change much. He seemed lost in thought.

After walking in silence for a while, they finally arrived at Roabellin’s house. Kaisertern lowered Jeff from the horse and supported his unconscious body. Roabellin had no choice but to enter the house with him.

Before knocking on the gate, Roabellin suddenly shouted loudly toward the inside.

“We have a guest! Get ready!”

It was a signal, prepared in case someone suddenly burst in. Hearing the signal, the family moved quickly as they had practiced. Lisa and Pheron hid magic-related items, and Estina ran to her room to find and drink a potion that changed hair and eye color. Though he was outside, Kaisertern’s sharp hearing picked up the sound of the entire house moving busily.

‘They’re hiding something.’

A moment later, Pheron opened the gate.

“Oh, My Lad—huff. Oh, Jeff!!”

Seeing a strange man standing next to Roabellin, Pheron barely caught himself before calling her “My Lady.” But as he took Jeff to support him, he was more shocked by the stranger’s overwhelming and familiar appearance than by Jeff’s condition.

‘Black hair, golden eyes, even the facial features—he looks exactly like young Master El?!’

Fearing he might give his thoughts away, Pheron quickly turned and moved Jeff into the house. Behind him, Roabellin quickly gave a brief explanation of the situation.

“He was attacked with a knife by that thug Marty, but I performed emergency treatment. This gentleman saved us.”

Pheron laid Jeff on a bed and returned to Roabellin. Estina would treat Jeff inside. Lisa, who had just come out, spotted Roabellin and Kaisertern and seemed just as shocked as Pheron for the same reason. Worried they might slip up, Roabellin quickly introduced Kaisertern.

“Um, this gentleman is… His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Prahenfelt. He came to inspect the Duchy and happened to meet us in the forest and help us.”

Having their suspicions confirmed, Lisa and Pheron bowed deeply.

“W-we greet His Imperial Majesty!”

“P-please forgive us for not recognizing you immediately…!”

With their heads bowed to hide their expressions, the two were thinking the exact same thing.

‘So, this man is Master El’s father?’

‘At this point, we can’t even claim he’s another man’s child.’

Kaisertern seemed completely unbothered by their informal and frantic greetings, observing them in silence. Then, as if reading their thoughts, he spoke in a low voice.

“I see. But I will ask one thing. Who is the father of this baby? I will count to three, and you will answer simultaneously.”

Panic-stricken, Lisa and Pheron’s gazes instinctively shifted to Roabellin. From their looks, Kaisertern read that they were hiding something for her.

‘Let’s hear what they say.’

Kaisertern counted slowly.

“One, two, three.”

“A traveler passing by—”

“Someone she met far away—huff.”

Since they hadn’t coordinated their stories, their answers naturally conflicted. Kaisertern’s lips curved into a satisfied arc.

“The two of you—no, including Roabellin, all three of your answers are different.”

At his words, and especially at the mention of Roabellin’s real name, Lisa and Pheron turned pale.

Roabellin quickly stepped in for them.

“It’s because I’m not even sure who the father is myself. I told them different things, so they don’t know for sure.”

Kaisertern was about to say something when Ezekiel woke up and began to fuss. Roabellin didn’t miss the opportunity, shushing the baby as she spoke.

“It’s time to feed the baby and put him to sleep. Thank you so much for your help today.”

It was a clear dismissal. For someone who usually used the cautious, indirect speech of a noble, it was a very blunt statement.

When he didn’t immediately turn to leave despite the dismissal, anxiety clouded the faces of Roabellin, Lisa, and Pheron. Kaisertern could read their fear and tension.

‘Pushing them by force in this situation will only backfire.’

He decided to withdraw for now.

“Fine. I will leave for today. You must have been shocked earlier, so get some rest.”

Roabellin and her family finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you so much… Please travel safely, Your Majesty.”

Kaisertern mounted his horse and slowly turned away. He wanted nothing more than to put Roabellin on his horse and take her back right now, but he didn’t want to take his precious woman by force. So, he decided to lower her guard by appearing to withdraw for now.

‘They say it’s one step back to take two steps forward… but my heart is growing impatient.’

Though he pretended to leave leisurely, he immediately picked up speed once he was out of sight of Roabellin’s house. Her attitude, the mysterious child—there were too many things bothering him.

‘I definitely felt that she liked me before. Today, even though she knew I was the Emperor, she didn’t hesitate to say things that could be considered impious. There’s something there. Especially coming from someone so skilled in the language of etiquette.’

He thought deeply as he increased his horse’s speed.

‘It feels like she’s hiding something much bigger and is desperate to protect it. Like a mother bird pretending to be hurt to draw attention away from a nest of eggs or chicks. There’s something.’

Returning to the Ducal Castle, Kaisertern canceled all of the next day’s schedule, claiming an urgent report from the central government required his attention. He had much to ask Duke Hertenes, but doing so might get back to Roabellin and only heighten her vigilance. So, he said nothing to Itanistad for now.

‘Roabellin is almost within my grasp. Dealing with the Duke who deceived me comes after.’

Pretending to have a private meeting with Count Raymond in his temporary office, Kaisertern quietly summoned his guards and pointed to a map.

“Here. Ambush the area around this house and report any movement in real-time. There’s a high probability they will try to move under the cover of night, so report any movement immediately and track them silently. Keep reporting their location in real-time as they move. I will follow.”

Kaisertern had now grasped Roabellin’s pattern of fleeing in the middle of the night. The guards took several extremely expensive multi-use communication devices—of which there were only a few even in the Imperial Palace—and headed toward Roabellin’s house.

After sending the guards, Kaisertern remained alone in his office and let out a long sigh. He recalled when Roabellin had described herself as a woman who met any man and had fled simply because palace life was suffocating.

‘Did those words… hurt me a little?’

Even though he didn’t believe her nonsense for a second, he couldn’t help the ache in his heart.

‘If that child is truly Roabellin’s… it might be difficult to make him Crown Prince, but I could accept him as a Prince. If I pretend he’s mine but create an excuse why he cannot be Crown Prince. If the ministers oppose it too strongly, I could leave him with the Duke of Hertenes to be raised as an heir to the Duchy while providing support. Or, is Roabellin lying about someone else’s child being hers just to push me away?’

While Kaisertern was spinning various hopeful scenarios in his mind, Roabellin and her family were, as expected, contemplating their escape.

“What should we do? Do we have to leave here too? How can we completely escape the Emperor’s grasp?”

Roabellin was anxious as she patted the sleeping Ezekiel. Jeff, who had almost completely recovered thanks to Estina’s additional treatment, along with Lisa and Pheron, shared the same expression. Estina spoke in a quiet voice, careful not to wake the child.

“Seeing how he came here knowing everything about you, I honestly wonder if hiding forever is even possible. But since the Emperor didn’t take you or punish you on the spot, he might actually leave us alone quite easily.”

“Easily?”

Roabellin asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Yes. Surprisingly easily. First, let’s move even just half a day’s distance under the cover of night. If we’re gone for a few days, he might give up, thinking we’ve left Gelayen altogether. Even if not, he might at least take it as a rejection.”

Roabellin looked at Ezekiel for a moment before giving a small nod. The effect of the magic potion had worn off, and the sleeping child’s hair had returned to black. His closed eyes would be golden.

“The most important thing is to keep El out of his sight. You all saw it today, it’s just… he looks so much like him.”

The family nodded, recalling Kaisertern’s face. Expecting a journey of two or three days, they immediately stood up and began quietly packing their bags.

***

“Your Majesty, they have emerged.”

“I see. Just as expected.”

Roabellin and her family had slipped out of their home late into the night, but every move they made was reported to Kaisertern instantly.

“Let them go where they wish, but follow them while concealing your presence. I am departing now as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Originally, he had intended to wait until their destination was identified before pursuing them, but Kaisertern could no longer stand the wait. Upon receiving the report, he immediately left his office and mounted his horse. Driven by the desire to close the distance between himself and Roabellin, he spurred his horse to a gallop.

***

Roabellin and her family eventually crossed the administrative border of Gelayen and checked into a small inn they had noted during their travels. Moving with a baby meant they could only travel for two or three hours at a time.

While the distance had taken the family three hours, Kaisertern—riding at full speed—arrived shortly after they had settled in.

“You have arrived, Your Majesty. The lights in the rooms occupied by the family went out just a few minutes ago.”

The guards lying in wait near the inn greeted him. Kaisertern and his men remained hidden in a spot with a clear view of the inn, keeping a vigil over the movements of Roabellin’s party throughout the night.

The night passed, and morning dawned. While some of the guards who had stayed up all night rotated shifts, Kaisertern took a slow walk around the perimeter of the inn. Possessing stamina that far exceeded human limits, he felt no need to rest like the others.

It happened near the entrance of the woods connected to the inn’s back door. Sensing a presence in the inn’s yard, Kaisertern looked over casually and saw a baby walking with unsteady steps. It was a familiar child.

‘Surely, that is the child Roabellin was holding yesterday. But… black hair and golden eyes?’

Yesterday, he had only seen the child sleeping, bundled in a blanket; now was the first time he truly saw the baby’s coloring. Black hair and golden eyes were, without a doubt, an extremely rare combination.

‘And besides that… for only having seen him briefly, why does he look so strangely familiar?’

After a moment’s thought, the realization hit him. He wasn’t familiar with the baby because he had seen him yesterday.

‘…He looks exactly like me.’

It wasn’t just a strong resemblance. It felt as though he were looking at himself as an infant. Kaisertern stared at the baby’s face, momentarily dazed. As he did, the baby, perhaps sensing the gaze upon him, tilted his head back. Their eyes met in mid-air.

“Aaah?”

The baby tilted his head to the side, then burst into giggles a moment later. Unintimidated by Kaisertern’s imposing stature or fierce aura, the child began walking toward him with wobbly steps. His face was bright, and he babbled incomprehensible sounds.

“Abuu… App… buu…”

Kaisertern was slightly startled to sense that same faint mana he had felt yesterday emanating from the tiny hand reaching out to him. Just then, the baby suddenly looked to the side, his face lighting up even more as he changed direction.

“Ma! Mmm… Ma!”

Kaisertern took a step forward and looked past the bushes that had been obscuring his view to the left. His eyes widened instantly at the person standing at the end of the baby’s path.

The baby stumbled as he walked, but he didn’t cry; he pushed himself up sturdily and continued his clumsy dash toward her.

“Maaa…”

“Where did you go? I’ve been looking everywhere for you, El.”

Roabellin wore a loving smile, bending down and opening her arms to receive the incoming Ezekiel. But in the next second, her body stiffened. She had spotted the tall man stepping out from behind the bushes. Her widened eyes locked onto his.

The man, possessing black hair, golden eyes, and a sculptured face, strode purposefully toward the mother and child. Roabellin froze in place like a herbivore facing a predator. Trying to snap out of it, she reached out to pull Ezekiel into her arms, but Kaisertern was faster.

He stepped in, scooped Ezekiel up, and stared intensely into the child’s face again. Ezekiel, seemingly fascinated by the golden eyes that matched his own, didn’t cry; instead, he stared back at Kaisertern just as intently.

Kaisertern holding Ezekiel, and Ezekiel being held by Kaisertern. The thought that crossed Roabellin’s mind as she saw their faces together was evidently the same one that occurred to Kaisertern. After a heavy silence, he spoke.

“…He was my child after all.”

1 Comment

Chibipinkbunny

This is an interesting story. Maybe I like it because it’s so different from most other Manwhas. There’s no time travel or reincarnation, and Roa is no damsel in distress who needs rescuing. ML is in love with the FL. And FL likes the ML, but doesn’t want to be a concubine or his empress for various reasons. Part of it seems like they lack communication. Roa doesn’t realize how much Kai loves and cares about her, and he’s coming off as a creepy stalker. I’m not sure how this is going to turn out, but im looking forward to the next update!

March 6, 2026 at 5:22 pm

Chapter 15

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Chapter 15

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